Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to resign from the role of Parramatta River Catchment Group Coordinator. In late January, my family and I will be moving to Geelong, Victoria, to be closer to our extended family.
Six years ago, my family and I moved away from our family and friends to work in Sydney, and what an incredible journey it has been. On our first day, my two young boys and I fell in love with the best urban river in the world, the Parramatta River (don’t tell my Melbourne clan that I said that – although it is true!) Little did I know then that one year later I would be coordinating the effort to revitalise the Parramatta River and make it swimmable again.
The last five years as Parramatta River Catchment Group Coordinator has challenged and rewarded me beyond imagination. I have met so many wonderful people with such intelligence, insight, commitment and true love for this awesome river. I can honestly say that I have fallen in love with both the river and the communities who live and work around it.
Sydney may be blessed with its beaches, but its rivers are finally gaining their well-deserved time in the spotlight, and the Parramatta River is very much at the heart of this. It is and has always been sacred and special. And after 70 odd years of neglect, the love factor is back and people can again see its true potential. We know what needs to be done. We know it can be done. So now it’s just a case of getting on and doing it.
I leave it in your trusted hands to continue to love, enjoy and nurture this special river. I will be back again to visit many times. But, for now, it’s time for me to return to that place where I call home.
So, thank you. Thank you to everyone who has challenged and encouraged me along this journey and who has shown such commitment to not only making this river world-class, but helping set the standard for world-class. I have been but a small part in this massive, combined effort known as Our Living River. Thank you so very much for letting me play my part. I will dearly miss it all!
So where to for me? To a river somewhere, of course. I’ll be taking up a position at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, managing the community-based initiatives and partnerships for the seven main rivers in that region. They are mostly rural rivers, so never fear, my loyalty to Parramatta River as the best urban river will remain!
And finally, if you wish to say thanks, please do so by supporting my super star team of Nadia and Jo, helping to build the Masterplan delivery team and continuing to do your part to make our vision a reality.
Please do keep in touch. My contact email after 17 January 2019 will be: hollandclift@gmail.com
All the best!
Sarah
